US5617125A - Spittoon system for ink-jet printers - Google Patents
Spittoon system for ink-jet printers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US5617125A US5617125A US08/214,712 US21471294A US5617125A US 5617125 A US5617125 A US 5617125A US 21471294 A US21471294 A US 21471294A US 5617125 A US5617125 A US 5617125A
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pad
- ink
- sorbent
- contact
- pads
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/135—Nozzles
- B41J2/165—Preventing or detecting of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
- B41J2/16505—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out
- B41J2/16508—Caps, spittoons or covers for cleaning or preventing drying out connected with the printer frame
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to spittoons for ink-jet printers. More particularly, it concerns a high-capacity spittoon system for color portable ink-jet printers that provides unprecedented lifetime capacity in cleanly and safely containing a volume of ink discharged, or spitted, from an ink-jet printhead to clean the printhead's nozzles.
- ink-jet printers have used spittoons into which the printhead is made to discharge, or spit, ink whether routinely to prevent crest from forming in and around its nozzles or on demand to recover from failure caused by the formation of soft ink plugs.
- Such spitting typically is controlled by firmware executing within the printer's controller, and is achieved very simply by moving the carriage mounting the printhead to a service station area including a spittoon and then firing one or more ink jet nozzles.
- Previous spittoons have been of limited capacity to absorb and contain ink, due to the limited lifetime spitting requirements of monochrome (e.g. black) ink-jet printheads.
- the invented system addresses the difficult tradeoff between increasing spittoon capacity while maintaining or reducing printer size. It does so by low-cost means compatible with the existing "installed" base of portable monochrome ink-jet printers.
- the system includes plural absorbent pads configured for drawing ink spitted into a first through a second that acts as a conduit into a third, which may comprise two joined sections. Over an entire lifetime of the printer, wherein as much as 15-20 centimeters 3 (cm 3 ) of ink may be spitted by the printhead, nevertheless ink is contained without leakage.
- the invented spittoon system may be understood to be an assemblage of sorbent pads that leads away from a region beneath the printhead when the latter is in its service position, with the pads' material and structure defining plural contact interface regions between successive pads, the interface regions having a plurality of hardness and sorbency characteristics.
- the invented system is to see it as including a first sorbent pad that is spring biased into contact with a second sorbent pad.
- the second pad matingly engages a third pad preferably having a compatible sorbency with the second pad, but having a different hardness such that one yields to the other and the surface are of their mating expanses is maximized.
- the third foam pad itself is an assemblage of two pad sections having different thicknesses, the two sections having mating fingers to produce a rabbet joint that holds them tightly in contact but permits their easy assembly.
- FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invented system, made in accordance with its preferred embodiment, used in conjunction with an ink-jet printer.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly drawings of the component parts of the invented spittoon system.
- system 10 made in accordance with its preferred embodiment is indicated generally at 10.
- the location of system 10 within a color portable ink-jet printer 12 is illustrated, with printer 12 shown only in pertinent part.
- printer 12 shown only in pertinent part.
- system 10 is described herein for use in an ink-jet printer as being a high-capacity ink-containment system for absorbing ink spitted thereat from the printer's printhead.
- the illustrated service station takes the known form of what will be referred to herein as a tumbler by which various printhead servicing operations may be performed.
- FIG. 1 shows this tumbler having arcuately spaced caps, wipers and spittoons in a capping position, although those of ordinary skill will appreciate that a servo motor (not shown) serves to controllably rotate the tumbler into various predefined rotational orientations, thereby to provide the required servicing, whether capping, wiping and spitting.
- the structure of the service station itself, and its cooperation with the ink-jet's printhead may of course assume alternative forms in which the invented lifetime capacity spittoon system may find utility. It will be appreciated that use of the invented spittoon, as described below, would rely on rotation of the tumbler 90° in either direction from the position shown in FIG. 1.
- Invented system 10 may be seen preferably to include at least a first sorbent pad 16 located adjacent printhead 14 for receiving and at least partly containing ink spitted thereat from printhead 14, with first pad 16 including a generally cylindrical protrusion 16a extending in a first lateral direction, as indicated.
- System 10 may be seen preferably also to include a biasing member, e.g. a coil spring, 18 operatively connected with first pad 16 for urging pad 16 in the same first direction.
- System 10 also preferably includes a second sorbent pad 20 laterally adjacent first pad 16, with second pad 20 having an upper region 20a in contact with protrusion 16a of first pad 16, with such contact being maintained by biasing member 18.
- the volume of first pad 16 is approximately 2.0 cm 3 and that of second pad 20 is approximately 1.8 cm 3 .
- first and second pads 16, 20 are formed of materials that are sorbently compatible, such that there is wicking action therebetween.
- pads 16, 20 are of a compressed foam polyurethane material and are formed by a curing forming process. By that process, a dry powder is poured into a mold cavity that is then sealed and heated to a predefined temperature at which the powder fuses into a solid. Pads 16, 20, when cool, may be ejected from the mold.
- system 10 also preferably includes a third sorbent pad 22, with second and third pads 20, 22 being dimensioned and configured as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to be in interference fit with one another to form a contact region indicated generally at 24 in FIG. 1.
- second and third pads 20, 22 are configured to present in mating contact with one another substantially conforming expanses 20b, 22a in contact region 24.
- Third pad 22 also preferably is formed of a material that is sorbently compatible with that of second pad 20, such that there is wicking action also therebetween.
- third pad 22 is formed of a layered sheet material an inner layer of which includes a pulp and fiber polyethylene and an outer layer of which includes a dry non-woven fabric.
- the middle layer includes pulp and fiber polyethylene in a ratio of approximately 75:25 and in which two opposing outer layers between which the inner layer is sandwiched are each made of the cloth-like fabric.
- pad 22 in a first section thereof is approximately 2.1 millimeters (mm) thick, producing a volume of approximately 3.4 cm 3 , and in a second section thereof is approximately 4.2 mm thick, producing a volume of approximately 6.6 cm 3 .
- third pad 22 preferably includes a substantial outer expanse 22b adhered to a wall region 26a of the printer's case 26.
- wall region 26a is non-planar, as shown, and in such case, third pad 22 may be seen to take the form of a foam sheet that is conformable to wall region 26a.
- third pad 22 may assume any form that is compatible with optimally increasing its sorbent capacity.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate that in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, and in order to accommodate space constraints and avoid assembly difficulties with existing ink-jet printer configurations to which the present invention is retrofittable, third pad 22 is formed in two matable sections 28, 30 having confronting regions 28a, 30a that are interference fittable with one another to form third pad 22.
- This is largely due to the limited space presented in the existing printer product and of the availability of foam sheets in two different thicknesses compatible with such space.
- the cost of tooling and injection molding a custom foam third pad is avoided by fittingly mating instead two foam pads or sheets of different thickness, e.g. preferably approximately 2.1 mm for section 28 and 4.2 mm for section 30.
- Confronting regions 28a, 30a define a rabbet joint, indicated generally at 32 in FIG. 1, between one and another of matable sections 28, 30.
- a rabbet joint as the form of joinder of sections 28, 30 to form third pad 22 has been found best to ensure wicking action by mating subsurfaces even if other subsurfaces are not mating due to slight location or orientation incompatibilities between the sections as installed on wall region 26a of printer's case 26.
- matable sections 28, 30 are generally coplanar with one another, yet with the rabbet joint providing substantial surface area for promoting wicking of ink.
- one of the matable sections e.g. section 30; includes one finger defining rabbet joint 32 and the other of the matable sections, e.g. section 28, includes two fingers, wherein the one and the two fingers are dimensioned and configured to interlockingly confront one another to define the rabbet joint.
- n fingers on one of the two sections and n+1 fingers on the other is contemplated by, and thus is within the spirit and scope of, the invention.
- third sorbent pad 22 formed integrally, thus obviating the two matable sections and their rabbet joinder or formed from more than two matable sections.
- System 10 includes a serial assemblage of sorbent pads, e.g. two or more of pads 16, 20, 22 as well perhaps as sections 28, 30 of the last, defining therebetween plural interface regions having plural characteristics including hardness and sorbency, as described above to include generally similar sorbency to promote wicking action and dissimilar hardnesses to maximize surface contact in the contact regions or interfaces such as that between second and third pads 20, 22.
- Such plural interface regions of course promote wicking action between the succession of pads.
- the assemblage of pads may be seen to take a serpentine path generally away from a region adjacent printhead 14 when it is in its service position, i.e. the position shown in FIG. 1.
- the invented spittoon system greatly increases the ink-accumulating capacity in an ink-jet printer having higher lifetime spitting requirements, e.g. a color portable ink-jet printer.
- the spittoon is inexpensively manufactured and easily installed or field retrofitted to an installed base of lower capacity portable color ink-jet printers.
- the configuration of plural sorbent pads in the invented system in its preferred embodiment is believed optimally to provide inter-pad wicking action that ensures reliable and smooth ink flow and accumulation generally safely and cleanly away from the printhead and other potentially damaged or contaminated surfaces.
Abstract
Description
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/214,712 US5617125A (en) | 1994-03-15 | 1994-03-15 | Spittoon system for ink-jet printers |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/214,712 US5617125A (en) | 1994-03-15 | 1994-03-15 | Spittoon system for ink-jet printers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US5617125A true US5617125A (en) | 1997-04-01 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
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US08/214,712 Expired - Lifetime US5617125A (en) | 1994-03-15 | 1994-03-15 | Spittoon system for ink-jet printers |
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Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5997128A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 1999-12-07 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Translational service station for imaging inkjet printheads |
US6318838B1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2001-11-20 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Non-fiberous spittoon chimney liner for inkjet printheads |
US6416161B1 (en) * | 2000-06-16 | 2002-07-09 | Xerox Corporation | Wiper blade mechanism for ink jet printers |
US6481827B2 (en) | 2001-01-31 | 2002-11-19 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Modular ink absorbent system for inkjet spittoons |
US6536867B1 (en) | 1999-08-23 | 2003-03-25 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Apparatus for increasing waste ink accumulation capacity in an ink jet |
US6616266B2 (en) | 2001-07-30 | 2003-09-09 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Method for increasing waste ink collection capacity in an ink jet printer by utilizing multiple ink spit areas along the carrier path |
US6733108B2 (en) | 2002-01-31 | 2004-05-11 | Hewlett-Packard Development, L.P. | Spill resistant spittoon for printer service stations |
US20050093946A1 (en) * | 2003-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | Tanner Christopher S. | Drum printer with spittoon and method for servicing |
US20060061619A1 (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2006-03-23 | Gast Paul D | Imaging device and method |
US20110181653A1 (en) * | 2010-01-25 | 2011-07-28 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Printing device with recycling pan |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4024548A (en) * | 1976-06-07 | 1977-05-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Liquid absorbing assembly with two porosities |
US4628331A (en) * | 1980-11-18 | 1986-12-09 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Ink mist collection apparatus for ink jet printer |
US4682184A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1987-07-21 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Suction recovering device for an ink jet printer and ink jet printer having the same device |
US4794409A (en) * | 1987-12-03 | 1988-12-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink jet pen having improved ink storage and distribution capabilities |
US4885932A (en) * | 1987-07-10 | 1989-12-12 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Determination of cleanliness level of foam reservoir |
US5121132A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1992-06-09 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink delivery system for printers |
-
1994
- 1994-03-15 US US08/214,712 patent/US5617125A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4024548A (en) * | 1976-06-07 | 1977-05-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Liquid absorbing assembly with two porosities |
US4628331A (en) * | 1980-11-18 | 1986-12-09 | Ricoh Company, Ltd. | Ink mist collection apparatus for ink jet printer |
US4682184A (en) * | 1984-11-19 | 1987-07-21 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Suction recovering device for an ink jet printer and ink jet printer having the same device |
US4885932A (en) * | 1987-07-10 | 1989-12-12 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Determination of cleanliness level of foam reservoir |
US4794409A (en) * | 1987-12-03 | 1988-12-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink jet pen having improved ink storage and distribution capabilities |
US5121132A (en) * | 1989-09-29 | 1992-06-09 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Ink delivery system for printers |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
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Hewlett Packard User s Guide, HP DeskJet 310 Printer, 1993. * |
Hewlett-Packard User's Guide, HP DeskJet 310 Printer, 1993. |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5997128A (en) * | 1997-05-30 | 1999-12-07 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Translational service station for imaging inkjet printheads |
US6536867B1 (en) | 1999-08-23 | 2003-03-25 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Apparatus for increasing waste ink accumulation capacity in an ink jet |
US6318838B1 (en) | 2000-03-31 | 2001-11-20 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Non-fiberous spittoon chimney liner for inkjet printheads |
US6416161B1 (en) * | 2000-06-16 | 2002-07-09 | Xerox Corporation | Wiper blade mechanism for ink jet printers |
US6481827B2 (en) | 2001-01-31 | 2002-11-19 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Modular ink absorbent system for inkjet spittoons |
US6616266B2 (en) | 2001-07-30 | 2003-09-09 | Lexmark International, Inc. | Method for increasing waste ink collection capacity in an ink jet printer by utilizing multiple ink spit areas along the carrier path |
US6733108B2 (en) | 2002-01-31 | 2004-05-11 | Hewlett-Packard Development, L.P. | Spill resistant spittoon for printer service stations |
US20050093946A1 (en) * | 2003-11-03 | 2005-05-05 | Tanner Christopher S. | Drum printer with spittoon and method for servicing |
US20060061619A1 (en) * | 2004-09-22 | 2006-03-23 | Gast Paul D | Imaging device and method |
US7311376B2 (en) | 2004-09-22 | 2007-12-25 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Imaging device and method |
US20110181653A1 (en) * | 2010-01-25 | 2011-07-28 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Printing device with recycling pan |
US8366235B2 (en) * | 2010-01-25 | 2013-02-05 | Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. | Printing device with recycling pan |
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Owner name: HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CHEW, CHEE CHUAN;REEL/FRAME:007070/0160 Effective date: 19940303 |
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Owner name: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P., TEXAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:026945/0699 Effective date: 20030131 |